Newcastle United fans tell Eddie Howe which striker to sign after talks with Hugo Ekitike’s agent

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Newcastle United are reportedly considering a move for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, three years after he turned down a move to Tyneside.

At one point, it looked nailed on that the French striker was going to move to the club. In January 2022, Newcastle United had an offer accepted by Reims for Hugo Ekitike. However, the youngster decided against the move at the last minute.

Some fans believed it was due to his age and reluctance to move to a different country. However, it was evident when talks broke down in the summer 2022 transfer window that he had been persuaded against the move by his agent.

Ekitke had a failed move to PSG before finding success in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt, but it now looks like he will move clubs once again this summer. A report on Saturday stated that Newcastle are still interested in signing Ekitike, and have recently contacted his agent to inform him of their intent to bring him to St James’ Park this summer.

With the Magpies looking at multiple options, fans have now said who they would like to sign over Ekitike.

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Newcastle United fans want Yoane Wissa rather than Hugo Ekitike

After confirmation that Callum Wilson left Newcastle upon the expiry of his contract, it is clear a new striker needs to be signed ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Newcastle are now prioritising a striker after the signing of Anthony Elanga, and according to Craig Hope, are exploring a move for Yoane Wissa among others. It was reported that Wissa will cost Newcastle at least £50million this summer, but the fee is significantly less than Ekitike’s £86million release clause.

There are other players on the list of targets, but they are not yet publicly known.

After learning Wissa and Ekitike are on the list, fans surprisingly said they would rather have the Brentford star rather than the Bundesliga ace.

“Win-win if we sign either of these IMO. Wissa is a case of buy for the here and now but you’d need to spend again for a main target 2/3 years later. Ekitike future proofs us for the long term.” said one fan, while another added: “Go for Wissa! He will be content with the role as a backup striker plus he’ll deliver a minimum, 10 goals!”

This fan referenced Wissa’s £50million price tag, saying: “Wissa is a good choice but as long it isn’t the 50 (million) that Brentford is asking for.”

“I’d get Wissa just so Mbeumo stays,” said this crafty Newcastle fan.

Another fan added: “Would take Wissa in a heartbeat.”

Finally, this Newcastle fan said: “Wissa is the one for me. Ekitike has a terrible agent who does not help his client at all. I don’t mean in turning us down, just in how to act and show respect.”

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Yoane Wissa’s statistics compared to Hugo Ekitike as Newcastle United eye a new striker

While both players would undoubtedly have a good impact on Tyneside, there will naturally be concerns over their price tags.

Newcastle have around £150m to spend this summer, and they have already used a good portion of that by signing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. If Newcastle were to pay Ekitike’s release clause, it might only leave them with a small transfer budget to improve several positions.

As well as a striker, Howe is eyeing improvements at centre-back and in goal, so he must be cautious with how he spends his remaining transfer budget.

If they spend too much, Newcastle could easily fall back in trouble with PSR after clawing their way out of a points deduction last summer. Wissa and Ekitike have their own qualities and have shown they can score vital goals in top leagues, but negotiations must take place to get the transfer fees down before a deal can be done.